D.C. Democratic mayoral nominee Adrian Fenty has some employees scrambling for cover. Others, including Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi, are feeling the love. Former managers, such as Dan Tangherlini, are being zealously courted.
In Ward 4, the line of council wannabes is forming. Willie Flowers, Charles Gaither, Doug Sloan, Muriel Bowser and Michael “I’m-gonna-be-mayor” Brown are hoping for Fenty’s blessing. But Bowser’s the one. Fenty says she’d be a good legislator, but he won’t make any endorsement until after the general election.
Meanwhile, Mayor Anthony Williams is creating his own storm. With only three months left, he wants the councilto make the Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities Administration a new agency.
Further, he may appoint Ed Reiskin interim city administrator this week. Currently deputy mayor for public safety, Reiskin wins accolades for his management acumen.
Robert Bobb officially steps down today as CA to devote more time to his campaign for president of the D.C. Board of Education, just as Fenty is making telephone calls to council members, hoping to line up votes for his school takeover plan. He wants to bring in New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and school Chancellor Joel Klein to discuss that city’s reform model.
But Fenty isn’t just stuck on schools; he’s plotting other changes. That’s a good thing.
“There are times when you have to refresh the organization. [Fenty] needs to finish off some things and restart the bureaucracy,” says Bobb, adding that a bunch of people should be escorted to the door. He refuses to say who, however.
I’m not so shy.
Start with Brenda Donald Walker, deputy mayor for children, youth, families and elders, who bears responsibility for the sorry state of MRDDA and the Department of Parks and Recreation, where citizens have to deal with leaky roofs, unanswered telephone calls and phantom class offerings.
Throw in DPR Director Kimberley Flowers for good measure.
Don’t forget Anne Witt at the Department of Motor Vehicles or Chief Technology Officer and serial District law violator Suzanne Peck. Dr. Gregg Pane is a nice guy; the health department needs more. Patrick Canavan’s magic might return if he were moved from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
Don’t worry about Deputy Mayor for Operations Herbert Tillery; he’s submitted his resignation, effective Oct. 20. Besides, his job was redundant, created by former City Administrator John Koskinen.
Which brings me to my point: Fenty wants Tangherlini to be city administrator, but his affections are with Metro, where he’s interim general manager.
Reiskin is a perfect alternative. Young and experienced, he loves the smell of broken systems, gets excited about drilling down and keeps a well-calibrated watch, ensuring the trains run on time. With Reiskin as city administrator, Fenty could effect swift and measurable reforms.
That humming sound you hear is a smooth-running District government.
Jonetta Rose Barras is the political analyst for WAMU radio’s “D.C. Politics Hour with Kojo and Jonetta.” She can be reached at [email protected].
